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Academic Civic Engagement

Academic civic engagement (ACE) is an educational approach that encourages students to learn in community contexts. Students consider community-based experiences in relation to classroom learning and apply academic knowledge and skills to strengthen communities as an integrated component of an academic course.

Often referred to as community-based research, service-learning, community-based learning, and public scholarship, ACE facilitates the development of skills, habits of mind, and relationships that prepare students for future internship, research, civic leadership, and work roles.

For more on the value of academic civic engagement to students, read this article from the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

This program is funded by the Kloeck-Jenson Endowment, the David L. and Margery Ostrom Scheie Endowment, and a grant from the Mellon Foundation.